Representing Airdrie & Shotts
By karen
On Saturday I attended the EIS march to protect Scottish education budgets. I met many of my local teachers including some from Plains Primary (pictured).
Many teachers are concerned about future cuts to education budgets and many probationer and student teachers face a very uncertain future with teacher numbers dropping across Scotland. Clearly all parts of the public services will face difficult financial times ahead, but I firmly believe that we must do all we can to protect the teachers and resources needed to educate or children and young people.
By karen
Yesterday I attended the laying of the first piece of rail on the Airdrie to Bathgate project. After years of campaigning for this, then seeing the Bill through Parliament and lately seeing much of the preparation work done on the rail path and new bridges it was great to finally see a section of rail track being laid.
The project is now nearing completion and by the end of the year, we should see passenger trains running between Airdrie and Bathgate for the first time in around 60 years. I know that the current work is still causing disruption to many of my constituents and I continue to represent these issues with Network Rail, who are responsible for the project. However, I would like to congratulate all those workers who have been involved in delivering a project which, to date, is both on time and on budget.
By karen
This morning I have been visiting the staff and pupils of St Partick’s Primary in Shotts. Today the pupils signed a partnership agreement with St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie.
As many of you will know, St Andrew’s Hospice does amazing work with people coming to the end of their lives. It is great to see pupils at St Pat’s support this important work.
It was also great to listen to the beautiful singing of all of the pupils.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
By karen
It was great to welcome the pupils and staff of St Aloysius Primary to the Scottish Parliament yesterday. There was a large group of just under 60 pupils and staff from P7 classes and I must say they can all be very proud of the way that they conducted themselves during the visit.
I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful questions asked by the pupils, who had clearly done their homework prior to the visit. I am sure that they are now part of a very small group of children aged 11 and 12 who are able to state what are the main reserved and devolved powers and list the ways that an individual can interact with the Parliament. I certainly look forward to their next visit to the Parliament.
By karen
Sunday’s cold and damp weather didn’t stop two excellent performances by the children of Tollbrae and Calderbank Primaries at Glasgow Fort.
The musical extravaganza, organised by Tollbrae P7 pupil, Caitlin Currie, from Airdrie, was highly entertaining, involving over 30 pupils from both schools.
The event helped raise over £1000 for the Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal.
Congratulations again to Caitlin for her hard work and initiative in organising Sunday’s performances and raising money for this important cause.
By karen
I recently received a letter from NHS Lanarkshire saying that they planned to ‘mothball’ 16 surgical beds at Monklands Hospital. They claim that modern surgical practices mean that they can still carry out the same number of operations with a reduced number of beds.
That might be the case, but my point it that surely they could be using that extra capacity to perform a greater number of surgeries and thereby reduce waiting times.
Worryingly, the letter also stated that ‘as this proposed change does not impact on patient services provided at the hospital, we do not require to undertake public consultation.’
I find this position to be completely unacceptable. I feel strongly that members of the public, who are after all the people who use the service, must be consulted on this important matter.
By karen
The Scottish Government has today published its new Children’s Hearing Bill and I hope that in carrying out their reforms, the Government will listen to the views of those on the front line of the Children’s Hearing System.
At a time when the number of children in care has reached a 30 year high, any changes made to the Children’s Hearing system must assist panel members in carrying out their vital work. The system must continue to have the best interest of children at its heart and any changes must continue to ensure the child-centre focus.
It is vital that the Scottish Government listens carefully to the views of those on the frontline - the panel members who freely give their time for Scotland’s children, if we are to ensure that Scotlands Children’s Hearing System continues to be highly regarded, not just in Scotland but across the world.
By karen
A major survey of educational achievement released by the Scottish Government has concluded that two-thirds of 13 year olds fail to reach expected standards of writing.
This is a really shocking statistic which will be of great concern to parents across Scotland. I hope that the Scottish Government will look seriously at this report, together with the recent report of the Literacy Commission, and take action - boosting literacy must become the top educational priority.
We can’t afford for our children to fall behind at this crucial stage in their education.
Literacy must be an over-riding priority and there must be early intervention to ensure that every child is properly supported as they learn to read and write and as they move from primary to secondary education.
It is simply unacceptable that two-thirds of S2 pupils are failing to reach writing standards, more than ever it is clear that we need concerted action to ensure that we get it right for every child in Scotland, at every stage in their school career.
By karen
This morning I visited the residents of Dunrobin Gardens Sheltered Housing Complex. I always get a lovely welcome from all of the residents and enjoy their home baking. That’s not to say that I get an easy time though. There are always some tough questions to answer. This morning residents expressed particular concern about the decline of Airdrie town centre. I fully understand their concerns. I did however inform them that construction would soon begin on the new Airdrie Health Centre. This will help to bring many more workers into Airdrie town centre which hopefully will be good news for local shops.
By karen
I have tabled a motion in Parliament congratulating Caitlin Currie of Tollbrae Primary School on her hard work in organising a musical extravaganza, Helpin’ Haiti. Caitlin personally enlisted the cooperation and help of Glasgow Fort, her dance school, local musicians and the choir and staff of Tollbrae Primary.
Helpin’ Haiti will be performed on Sunday 28th February 2010 at Glasgow Fort. The primary six and seven pupils will do two performances. The times are 12.00-12.45 and then 1.30-2.15.
Caitlin’s achievements are certainly impressive . I am looking forward to going along on the 28th to see the performance and to hearing on how much money they manage to raise for this important cause.
On Saturday I attended the EIS march to protect Scottish education budgets. I met many of my local teachers including some from Plains Primary (pictured).
